INTERIOR TO BRIEF ALASKA, MIDWEST REGION
EMPLOYEES
ON BIA/OST REORGANIZATION
Regional Sessions to be Held June 10 and 12 in Juneau and Anchorage,
June 11 in Fort Snelling, Minn.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of the Interior (DOI) is continuing
its schedule of presentations to employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) on
the reorganization of both agencies. Next week, employees of the Alaska Region
will be briefed on June 10, 2003, in Juneau and June 12 in Anchorage. Midwest
Region employees will be briefed on June 11 in Fort Snelling, Minn. The Department
is seeking to increase accountability and efficiency in its trust management
functions by reorganizing the agencies that manage Indian trust funds and
assets. Presentations are taking place this month at the Bureau's 12 regional
offices and other locations around the nation.

The Alaska and Midwest Region employees will be briefed on the Department's
plan for reorganization of the BIA and OST, and on the Comprehensive Trust
Management Plan (CTMP) at morning sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The CTMP describes how the new BIA and OST organizational structures will
improve the delivery of trust services when the reorganization is completed.
Tribal leaders from each region will also be briefed on the reorganization
effort in subsequent sessions.

In 2002, the Department and the Tribes together undertook an ambitious effort
to change the way the BIA and OST deliver trust and non-trust services to
Tribes, tribal service populations and trust beneficiaries. The Plan is based
on agreements reached with the Joint Tribal Leaders/DOI Task Force established
by Secretary Gale Norton to examine and recommend proposals for improving
service delivery to recipients and beneficiaries.

WHO: U.S. Department
of the Interior

WHAT: Departmental
presentations on the reorganization of the BIA
and OST to
Alaska and Midwest Region
Federal employees.

CREDENTIALS: Press registration will be provided. Please bring your
sanctioned media credentials and if possible, wear on your shirt collar or
around your neck for easy viewing. This will assist our staff. Press seating
will be provided.